The New York Yankees have allowed just three runners to cross home plate in their first five games. This dominant stretch ties a historic record set by the 1943 St. Louis Cardinals for the fewest runs allowed to start a season. While the entire staff has been outstanding, the surge starts with ace Max Fried.
Fried, who signed a seven-year deal before the 2025 season, has already delivered two quality starts. Over 13.1 innings against elite lineups like the San Francisco Giants and Seattle Mariners, he has yet to allow a single run. With a 0.00 ERA and 10 strikeouts, Fried is finding his rhythm early—a great sign of a Cy Young-caliber season ahead.
Following him is number two starter Cam Schlittler. After being called up late in 2025 due to injuries, Schlittler dominated the postseason and made his mark in the Bronx. He picked up right where he left off in his first start this year: 5.1 innings, eight strikeouts, and only one hit allowed. Some are already calling him the next Gerrit Cole, and they might be onto something. While he no longer qualifies for Rookie of the Year, many believe he is on a path to become one of the greatest righties in Yankees history.
Further down the rotation, young arms Will Warren and Ryan Weathers are holding the line. Manager Aaron Boone opted for a four-man rotation to start the year, as stars like Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón are expected to return from injury soon.
The bullpen depth has been equally impressive. The only runs allowed by the relievers came during a tough matchup against Seattle, where Cal Raleigh unfortunately walked off the game with an RBI single against Paul Blackburn. The only other run surrendered so far came during a solid start by Will Warren in a 3-1 win over the Giants.
One notable name in the bullpen is Brent Headrick. If you haven’t heard of him yet, it’s time to start learning. Leading the pen with five strikeouts in 3.1 innings, Headrick’s stuff is electric and constantly keeps hitters off-balance. Having come up big in all four of his appearances, he is proving to be a reliable weapon for the back end of games.
While the pitching is historic, the offense is still trying to click—with the exception of Giancarlo Stanton. He may not be able to open a bag of chips, but he managed two hits in each of the first five games of the season. Stanton is on fire, and it’s only a matter of time before the rest of the lineup joins him.
The 2026 Yankees are well-structured, and their combination of a deep pitching staff and a high-upside lineup makes them look complete. Stay ready, because this season is shaping up to be a wild ride.
